Kistler Group takes over SMETEC

The pace of growth at Kistler remains high, as current business figures show: the group of companies recorded incoming orders totaling 370 million Swiss francs at the end of September 2018; this represents an increase of 16 per cent compared with the same period of the previous year. The strong rate of investment will therefore continue: the SMETEC recently became part of the Kistler Group – visual combustion analysis is an excellent addition to the portfolio and strategy of the Swiss measurement technology experts.

Rolf Sonderegger, CEO of the Kistler Group, together with the owners of SMETEC GmbH, Dr. Frank Wytrykus (left) and Ralf Düsterwald (right), is delighted with the future collaboration.

The growing requirements regarding cost-effectiveness and zero-emission operation of combustion engines can only be met with high-performance measurement technology. To optimise engine designs, automobile manufacturers and suppliers must rely on precise analyses of the combustion process. With the visual combustion analysis from SMETEC, processes in the combustion chamber can be visualised and statements made on the quality of the combustion process. The German company is part of the Kistler Group with immediate effect. The Swiss measurement technology experts thereby strengthen their portfolio not least of all in the area of optical measurement technology.

“The new technology complements our classic measurement technology, especially in the area of pressure sensors very well. With the acquisition of SMETEC, we expand our portfolio in an ideal manner and can offer additional options in combustion analysis. This allows us to even better meet the needs of our customers,” commented Rolf Sonderegger, CEO of the Kistler Group

The goal of the acquisition is to strengthen the Group’s market position in engine development and research.

Optical measurement technology as further mainstay

For SMETEC, based in the town of Erkelenz near Aachen, the merger brings great potential as well: “As a small company, we will benefit immensely from Kistler’s global organisation and sales structures. With such a strong partner at our side, we can fully exploit the market potential of our technology,” adds Dr. Frank Wytrykus, co-founder and managing director of SMETEC. Together with General Manager Ralf Düsterwald, he will continue to manage the company.

The acquisition of SMETEC is part of Kistler’s long-term strategy to expand optical measurement technology as a technological pillar in addition to those that already exist. The threads of this new business field, to which the image-processing technologies of Vester Elektronik GmbH – acquired in 2017 – also contribute, run together in Karlsruhe: the Competence Center Vision, a research and development center dedicated to all facets of industrial image processing, has been established and will provide stimulus for innovation in the future – even across technologies and with respect to new applications.

Company growth continues to be very dynamic

The Kistler Group exceeded the mark of 2 000 employees this year. With the two acquisitions made this year – LIK Mechanical and Electrical Technology Co. in Shanghai and SMETEC – the Group strategically further expanded its market position, particularly in the area of optical measurement technology and automated production. At the end of September 2018, the Swiss measurement technology experts reported incoming orders of approximately 370 million Swiss francs, an increase of 16 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year or 12 per cent after adjusting for exchange rate effects.